Attachment for pattern tracing machine



April 13, 1965 A. P. ARNO 3,177,586

ATTACHMENT FOR PATTERN TRACING MACHINE Filed June 19, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. ANTHONY P. ARNO ATTORN EY April 13, 1965 Filed June 19, 1963 In llll A. P. ARNO ATTACHMENT FOR PATTERN TRACING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 N 8 m Q It) INVENTOR.

ANTHONY P. ARNO ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,177,586 ATTACHMENT FQR PATTERN TRACING MACHENE Anthony P. Arno, 12 Brookline St, Watertown, Mass. Filed June 19, 1963, Ser. No. 289,032 1 Claim. (Cl. 33--23) This invention relates generally to machines for forming patterns from a master pattern, and more particularly to an attachment for machines of this type to give them a drilling and milling capability. More specifically, the invention is concerned with an attachment for a pantograph engraving machine.

I Machines of this type include a cutting tool rotatable about a vertical axis, a work table for supporting the workpiece in which the pattern is to be cut, a copy table for supporting a master pattern or template, a tracer or stylus adapted to be moved to follow the master pattern,

and apantograph or other motion duplicating mechanism may prepare his own pattern or template to reproduce a particular design or pattern.

In general, machines of this type have heretofore been used almost exclusively for the cutting or grinding of irregular shapes or patterns which are not readily performed by other machines. It has been recognized, how ever, that it may be employed for engraving circles or cutting circular holes; for example, masters consisting of graduated circles are commercially available. It will be apparent, however, that the sizes of holes one can cut using such a template would be limited to those available on the template, and to achieve a capability of cutting a hole of any desired size would require a large number of templates and/or the use of one such template and adjustment of the ratio of the pantograph mechanism to cause the cutting tool to circumscribe a circle of the exact diameter desired. Either approach is costly or inconvenient and would make difficult the cutting of holes to close tolerances.

It is a general object of the present invention to increase the versatility of a pantograph pattern tracing machine.

A more specific object of the invention is to convert a pantograph engraving machine or the like into a precision drill press capable of cutting a hole of any desired size with a high degree of accuracy.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pan'to graph type of machine with the foregoing capabilities by simple and inexpensive means.

Briefly, these objects are achieved by a simple, readily removable attachment for 'a pantograph machine which provides a radius arm of accurately controllable length from a fixed point on the copy table of the machine for defining the radius of the circle circumscribed by the stylus of the machine. The attachment consists of a bar on which a precision rule is engraved, a block in which the bar is slidably received and on which a scale, adjacent the scale on the bar, is engraved to provide a vernier scale, a first spindle secured to the block and adapted for pivotal engagement with a fixed point on the copy table, and a second spindle rotatably secured to one end of the bar and adapted to replace the usual stylus of the pantograph machine. Thus, the first spindle locates the center of a compass, of which the second spindle is the stylus, which constrains the tracer arm of the pantograph mechanism to follow a circle having a radius equal to the disance between the two spindles, thereby causing the cutting tool to cut a hole of like (or proportional) radius in a workpiece. By virtue of the vernier scale, the radius can be set to any desired value, with an accuracy of .001" with ease, permitting any size hole to be cut in the workpiece with at least the same accuracy. The hole size can be quickly and easily changed, giving the machine a drill press capability of an infinite number of drills of ditferent sizes, and at much lower cost.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention, and a better understanding of its construction and operation, will be apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pattern controlled reproducing machine of the manually actuated pantograph type in which the attachment of the invention is incorporated; 1

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the copy table of the machine of FIG. 1 showing the vernier compass of the invention in operative relationship with the copy table and tracer arm of the pantograph mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the vernier compass of the invention disassembled from the pattern tracing machine; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the vernier compass as viewed from the underside.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the pantograph controlled machine with which the invention has particular utility includes a main frame or column 1i extending upwardly from and supported on a base 12, with a vertically adjustable knee or other support 14 located at the forward side of the column Ill on which a work table 16 is adjustably mounted for movement in two directions under control of hand cranks 18 and 20.

A vertically disposed cutter head 22. is mounted and carried by a swingable pivoted link supporting structure 2 5, which structure extends forwardly from the upper end of the main frame Ill with the cutter head 22 positioned above the work table 16 for universal lateral movement over and above the work table. In this instance the machine is adapted for cutting, and the cutter head 22 includes a high-speed, rotary spindle 26 journalled therein. The spindle is of the type adapted to be driven by a cord belt 28 driven by a suitable motor 3% through a speed-changing pulley 32.

The cutter head assembly 22 is moved by a pantograph motion reproducing mechanism 34 mounted on and supported from a horizontally disposed arm 36 which is supported from the upper end of the main column 1%). The pantograph is pivotally coupled at 38 with the link structure 24, so that moving the pantograph 34 will, in the usual manner, correspondingly move the link 24 and the cutter head 22 laterally in a horizontal plane in accordance with the lateral, horizontal motion transmitted thereto by the pantograph.

The pantograph 34 includes a stylus carrying arm 40 for moving the pantograph, this arm normally carrying at its rear free end a stylus which is positioned above a pattern or copy supporting table 42 mounted horizontally on the upper end of the main frame 10. The stylus carrying arm 40 is provided with a suitable operating knob 44 through the medium of which the operator manually moves the stylus to follow the profile surface of a pattern or template (not shown) mounted and secured on the copy table 42.

The pantograph 34 is of the adjustable type so that it may be set for full scale duplication in the workpiece of a pattern, or for scale reductions of a pattern. For examplejit'mawhaveratios *ranging-from full or 1:1 and one-half inches" to an accuracy of at least .00l. reproduction; Orre'duced reproduction say down to :1; And, if the'ratio of the pantograph is adjusted to, say as will be understood by those familiariwith machines of 7. 10:1, the radius of the circlercut in thetworkpiece is actool; usually over'a range of about to /2 a 3 this kind. It'will be seen hereinafter that this feature of a curate to ten times thisfigure, or to 0.001. V i the" pantograph may be used to advantage to improve 5. As best seen in FIG. 2 the Vernier compass is assemthe' accuracy 'of the attachment of the invention." p bled on the copy table with the spindle egitendinginto As the machineiis adapted (as will' be more clearly the zerof opening in the table andthe spindle 52 posi seen hereinafte'r) for a hole cutting ordrillingoperation; tioned in thestylus opening at the free end of the stylus a' suitable cuttingtool 46 is provided in'spindle 26, being I arm 40. Thus; when 'the operator by rasping knob 44 held therein bya suitable chuck. Such cutting marma manually moves the arm40; the spindle 52 traces a circle fcr' eitam'pl'e; include a cylindrical cutting surface, which, whose center is located by the aforesaid opening in the fo'r' thejcuttin-g of very small holes," maybe as small as Q copy table'and whoseradius is the setting or the' vernier W .050" in diameterl The'spindle 26' includes 'means fOI" scale, This ,circularl inotionof the tracerarm is tran's manually imparting vertical movement tofthe cutting? al niitted by'fthe pantogr aph' 34 to the link structure 24 to 5 V correspondingly move the cuttingftool 46in a' horizontal:

In the adaptation of themachine for thecutting of, plane; 11f vertical motion isimpai'ted to'thelcutting'tool" holes of accurately controlled size, the workpiece is while the vernier compass -48 is rotated about spindle 62; L mounted and secured ontthe'worktable 16 of the maf" the tool will'cuta hole in the Iworkpie'ceof a radius equal chine. Instead of the usual pattern'or template; the itd'that' set on the'comp a'sis for'a' tl ratio of the pantO-' motion of thejcutting tool relative to the workpiece'is'f gg graph, or'ofa selected smaller radius determined by'the" controlled, according to the invention, by a vernidflcO'lil ritidstt-in'gi The-size of the hcl'e' to be cut'can be quickly pass 48 *pivotally joined at one point thereon to a lfix 'ed changed by adjusting 'th'e'po'sition of theblock 58 on the point on'the copy'table 42 usually' the. zero point and" parse, or :theratio ofthepantog'raph, orboth. Using a pivotally joined' at another point fthereon toj'the free end tcutting tool ofsufiiciently sm'allty t practicalldiameter,

0f the'tfflcef 40 in the pfi Where 't ng 'g5 itispossible to cut any siZJehoIe usingthe'samecutter, stylus is'normally carried. h h

- Referring to FI GS. 2, 3 and 4, the vernie'rconipass ab'" o 0 001? withcase. Thus, this attachmentgives'a pantotaclimentfcomprises an accurately; machined ,enlongated V graph en ra i g m chine a drill press cap bility of an flatbar im -preferably formed with bevelled side edges Z infinite'number of drills of different sizes; and "at'much 50a and 50b; The bar 50 may be formed of steel and is lg'iwrfco'st i d i a of alength determined by the maximum Size of the hole It will ncw' e' r og iz by onesv k e n a from about ";to" 12" in diameter to airaccuracy off it is desired to cut; inthe disclosed embodiment, the ba r I that the described attachment also permits ,iacing and is slightly over seven inches longJ Alon'g one edge of the millipg i t be'pe f m d on any ebgraving mabar, in this case, edge 50b, a seven inch rule is accurately 3chine.- That is, with the Vernier compass 48 set to define" engraved; 'fl P e n fl firgl'aduated to 0.Q2 5"; N a a selected circle of movement 'ofj'the cutting tool, a workone'en'dof the bar; at a point about 0.7" in from thezeroiec y b f d pg; a 10; mill d th in, b point on therule, a p d 52 rotatably i n l di n in'g the work-suppbrting" table horizontally relative to cut aibe'aring'54 carried in an opening 56 in the" bar. The te'r. h a I J m spindle is positioned normal to the bar 50, and asis best 13 "'Whileth'erehas becn shown and described what is now seen in FIG. 4, the bearing 54' 'does not'cxtend 'com- 40 considered'a preferred'embodiment; variations andmod pletely throu'ghthe thickness of thebar. The sp1ndl'e52 ,ifiafigng' yn w'i e m d ones'rver'sed Yin is sllfilcienflly l a i O a diamterio 6 c ive lin without departing em" its true spirit and scope. Obvithe cpening'inthe free endof tracer arm 4040f the pantoously,"theiattachnient can be used on 'pantograph"ma-' graph 34 where the stylus is normally carried; Mounted L chinesfof types other than'the one selected for describing on the" bar and slidable therealong is'a carefullyma the"invention, and such modifications as may be neces- Chilled block 53 having a channel therein Equal in 0 sary to adapt it to such'other machines 'ai-e considcred to z to the a n conforming to the bevelled, s edges 50a be withi'n the scope of the inventi'on' In this connection, and 50b. The upper side of the channel (as viewed'in holes other than the zero opening' u'sually found in'the 9 is p a of a width' equal to e 'flat'surface V cq y table may be provided for receiving spindle 62, or

of-bar 50, the upper surface of the block lying in the plane a plate having suitably placed openings for selectively" of the"up'per-' surface of the bar. A circular plate '60 is locating th'ecenter of the 'cir'cle to be traced may be sesecured to the underside of -blo'ch 58, to which; in turn; is I cured to the copy table,l Likewise, the bar 50 and slid s u d a second spindle 62 which de endspe'r endicuablefb1ock'58'neednotbe of'theexact' construction shdwh, lar'ly' 'fror'nthe Cent ur plate 60; Spi ndle"62 is or a it being-within'the contemplation ofthe invention to length and'diameter to be received in a hole located'cen f 55 id' a h mbg adji fment positioning the trally' of the -'copy -table42 *ofthe machine of'FIG'; l;

known-asthe zero point of the t l h 'P Q Pmii Also, although tl ieba'r SOE'ha's beenfishQWn as 'decimally viding a flatbea'ring surface for engagementwith the'up 7 graduated along oneed'gethereof; it maybe f'ound con P ce Of'the copy table' andclearance" between the? j ven'ient to prcvideanot'her scalealong'the"otherfedge' 50a, bar and table to snow" the bar to be swungabout' spindle} graduated in siXty-fou'rthsffor example, and co-operating 62 in'a plane parallel'to'the' u per surface of the'copy Vernier markingsfon the surface 'of block'58 adjacent' "tabler g j i I thereto. Accordingly; it is applicants intention that the The upper surface of block'58 isengraved'alon'g "the invention not belimited; by what has been specifically edge adjacent the rule on bar 50 with accurately spaced illustrated and described except as such limitations appear graduations 58d toprovide, in conjunction with the-rulings f in the appended claim: l

bl'ock58 'after the'rnahne'r of available 'vern'ier calipers,"

on the-bar; a Vernier scale in a manner well known'to the 765 Wh fi claimed V a w art. Thescale 58a on the block is so positioned relative: i Anamchment fqr a pantogrmphr t e t i to $PiI1d12that when its is a gn d f ji chine including a pattern holding table having an opening the half, F 1? axesbf sP nd' 'S 2 6 are Q- l" "T thereinand a tracer arm mounted'for'movement over said $m Y ibevlockd 'an f p la o g th table and having a stylus-receiving opening therein, for bar 50 by a thumb screw threaded in a' sidewall 'ofthe" gauging.thesfylusrreceiving Owning ofthe {racer arm to block'and extelldifigdfltd'the chantlel therein-"to en age describe. a circle of selectively adjustable fading about sideedge 50a. Thus, the distance between spindles 52 the opening in the table as the centerlsaid' attachment and 62 (the radius of the compass) canin the present; comprising, -anelongatcdjfiat bar having graduated rulcase be adjusted to any value between zero and about SIX v ingsalong an edge thereof a fi t i dl pi l h;

nected to said bar near one end thereof by a bearing having an axial dimension less than the thickness of said bar, said first spindle extending normally to the plane of said .bar from the upper surface thereof and adapted for engagement by the stylus-receiving opening in said tracer arm, a block having a channel therein in which said bar is received for movement to selected positions relative to the block, said block having graduated rulings thereon cooperatively arranged with the rulings on said bar whereby the position of said block on said bar may be set with Vernier accuracy, a circular plate secured to the underside of said block for providing a smooth bearing surface for engagement with said table, a second spindle dimensioned to be received by the opening in said table dependallel and opposite to said first spindle, and means for releasably securing said block to said .bar at the position selected, the channel in said block being open at the upper side of said block to allow said block to be adjusted to a position on said bar where said first and second spindles are co-linear.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,256,461 2/18 Foster 33-27 2,371,048 3/45 Hayes 33-27 2,642,660 6/53 De Vau et a1. 33-23 ing from the center of said circular plate in direction par- 15 ISAAC LISANN, Primary Examiner- 

